Sounders vs. Club America Leg Two Preview
By Ben Renner
The Sounders head to Mexico City to take on Club America tomorrow in their second leg of the CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinals.
Sounders midfielder Erik Friberg said yesterday that his teammates are feeling good and have prepared well for their upcoming preseason match against the Mexican side Club America tomorrow in their second leg of the CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinals. Club America played the Sounders to a 2-2 draw in Seattle last week, meaning they only need another tie to advance to the semifinals. The Sounders will have to win a tough match on the road to advance to the semifinals for the second time in club history.
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Friberg said his team is “ready to play”. Sounders goalkeeper Stefan Frei said he was excited to play in the world-famous Estadio Azteca in Mexico City. “We want to win and advance,” Frei said. “But regardless of the outcome, it’ll be great to prepare us for Kansas City.”
The Sounders open their MLS schedule at home against Sporting Kansas City this Sunday. They showed some promise in their first match against Club America in the first leg, with forward Clint Dempsey scoring two goals, one of them assisted by homegrown hero Jordan Morris. But their defensive lapses can’t be ignored. The Sounders scored on set pieces but allowed Club America back in the match by succumbing to counter attacks.
So far Sigi Schmid’s 4-4-3 alignment has produced offensive results, even after Obafemi Martins abruptly abandoned the Sounders just before the preseason started. The question will be whether the Sounders can run with Club America on their home pitch for 90 minutes.
Next: Sounders off to Mexico City after 2-2 Draw
How they attack Club America tomorrow night will be telling in how they will fare in the early parts of the MLS regular season. Martins’ departure left the Sounders with some resources to fill their Designated Player slot, but those reinforcements won’t come until sometime later this summer. In the meantime, Morris, Dempsey, Friberg, Fri, and company will have to keep the ship afloat.